About Support Groups

The National Home Education Network mission statement includes "facilitate the work of grassroots organizations..." So we would like to offer a few options to those who are already running support groups as well as those who might like to start a group.

Additionally, the NHEN Library offers a collection of articles that you might find helpful under "Networking."

 

Why is networking important to homeschoolers?  What are the many ways it can be accomplished? What networks already exist? What are the purposes of various networks?  How does information spread across the homeschooling community?

Networking and NHEN
by Carol Moxley
"How does one create a network of homeschoolers to begin a support group? How does one create a network of human resources from which to garner ideas? What are other support groups doing to deal with the challenges that arise? What networks exist in other states and how can a similar one be built in one's own state? What can be done to draw homeschoolers together to address legislative issues? How can information be spread? Where are these homeschoolers and how can they be reached?"


The Challenges of Homeschool Networking
by NHEN Support Committee, 2002
"Hopefully, these examples will inspire everyone to follow the examples of those committed to building and strengthening the homeschooling network that is underway on local, state and national levels - yes, even internationally! Let's look at a few of these networking phenomena."


Bridge-Building Tools
by the NHEN Support Committee, 2001
A simple list of ideas that this committee pulled together to help support groups find a way to work together for the benefit of the entire homeschooling community.


Networking With Local Area Homeschoolers
by Mary May
" . . . [T]here are several reasons to reach out and connect with other area homeschoolers, support groups, and activity leaders. First and foremost is the vital need for tolerance and appreciation of how unique and different we are as people and homeschoolers . . . "


Working Cooperatively with Other Support Groups
by Hallie Pentheny
"I thought it would be great to be able to get families together without having to join multiple support groups. And that it would be nice to offer all NH families the opportunity to mingle and network with each other in a non-competitive environment."



 Get first-hand information from homeschoolers who have successfully started their own support groups. Explore how support groups evolve and what constitutes an "ideal" support group. Network with others who have started or are starting new support groups.


How to Start Your Own Homeschooling Support Group
by Shay Seaborne
"Not comfortable homeschooling support group in your area? Take heart! You can start one very easily, on a shoestring. Here is how FOLC was started two years ago, when 3 other families and I couldn't find a support group that serves our needs."

Simple Addition

by Sue Patterson

When one family meets two families and you add in a few group activities, that equals a support group!


The Ideal Support Group
by Susan Grougan
How many of us have not toyed with the idea of the ideal support group? One person's experience with starting a new group.


 10 Essential Items

The NHEN Legislative Committee suggest 10 Essential Items to include when building a state homeschooling website.

Find out about successful activities other support groups have held. Learn how to plan great field trips and successful homeschool information nights and other information meetings. Learn about co-operative learning groups. Learn about opportunities for homeschoolers to participate in a wide variety of programs and competitions. Discover how one support group offers many activities and events with little debate about how they are conducted.


Organizing Field Trips
by Rhonda Conner
"You have volunteered to coordinate field trips. Now what? Sure, you have lots of energy and ideas now, but what happens when you run out of ideas? What happens when nobody will help you? Worse, what if no one shows up?" Here are some tips to take the stress out of coordinating field trips.


Homeschool Information Nights
by Sue Patterson
"Putting together an Information Night isn't nearly as hard as it might sound. There are a few choices that need to be made before you start, and if you have at least three or four homeschoolers willing to help shoulder the work and a few more willing to attend... well, you could find yourself with quite a successful event!"


How Our Cooperative Works
by Marsha Ransom
Have a look at the development and evolution of a real homeschool learning co-op!


Community and National Programs and Competitions
"As homeschooling gains acceptance by mainstream America as a viable learning alternative, more and more opportunities arise for homeschoolers to participate in special programs previously reserved for classrooms. Here are some examples of the types of programs that your support group can participate in." Look for fundraising ideas in here, too!


Our Non-Directed Support Organization
by Earl Gary Stevens
"We are often asked how we can manage to advertise a variety of support group meetings and a long list of activities and events in this part of the state with very little debate or disagreement over how they are conducted." This article describes a community-type approach to support groups.


Providing Homeschool Information: A Talk-in-the-Park
by Pam Sorooshian
An alternative to evening information meetings is to occasionally schedule an hour or two before regular park days specifically for long-time homeschoolers to give information and answer questions for those who are new or considering homeschooling. This article describes how one group has successfully carried out casual, but effective, homeschooling information workshops in the park.

When you run a support group, you should take into consideration some of the business aspects. Get information about filing for tax-exempt status as well as a great deal of information about running a volunteer organization. Find out how to thank volunteers and keep them motivated. Review the skills and knowledge required to be a good organizational leader.


What You Need to Know if Your Organization Plans to File for Tax Exemption
From the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Internet


Non-Profit Center
A wealth of information helpful to non-profit and other volunteer organizations. Budgeting, leadership skills, volunteer management, fundraising and much, legal considerations and much, more!


What are Some Ways to Thank Volunteers?
An example from an active volunteer program.


Overview of Leadership in Organizations
Helps readers gain broad understanding of the concept of leadership along with the various areas of knowledge and skills required to lead in a variety of different situations.

Communicating with your members can be one of the most important aspects of keeping your support group running smoothly. Keep your members aware of activities as well as all the good work you're doing. Newsletter editors from around the country have gathered information and are willing to share.

Also, NHEN hosts an email list for Editors, you are welcome to join and ask any questions.  Please read the articles below to see if some of your questions are already answered here.





Each of these articles can be found in the NHEN Library under Newsletter Editors:



Starting a Newsletter by Cindie Edmunds
This article discusses some basic issues you need to consider when you decide to start a newsletter.

Taking Over A Newsletter by Tom Person
This is a link to an article originally printed in Laughing Bear Newsletter with some good advice for those who are inheriting someone else's publication.


Publishing Email Newsletters by Sue Patterson
Are you thinking about publishing a newsletter via email? From finding subscribers to formatting...from scheduling considerations to mailing, you'll find the answers here!


Taking Your Newsletter Online by Charlotte Richter
The pros and cons, plus many excellent helpful tips and ideas, for editors who want to put their newsletter on the Internet.


If You Build It They Will Come, or How To Grow Your Newsletter by Mary Ann Kelly
A well written, detailed article on how to increase your subscriber base and ways to promote and market your publication.
 
The Pros and Cons of Advertising by Helen Hegener
Should your homeschooling newsletter or magazine accept paid or unpaid advertising? Or should your publication rely only on other sources of revenue, such as subscriptions, membership fees, donations, or merchandise tie-ins? Helen Hegener, manager of Home Education Magazine, discusses an issue that all editors confront.


Interviews Make Great Articles by Sue Patterson
An interview can spice up your newsletter and give it a personal touch. This article gives you ideas for how and who to interview.

Editor's Humor by Sue Patterson
A humorous look at being a newsletter editor! "You know you're and Editor if..."

  

Other Helpful Links
From in-depth articles to quick tips, are a variety of resources around the net that editors might find useful whether your publication is print, email or web-based.


 Whenever you try to run an organization, you will inevitably run into challenges. Luckily, homeschoolers from around the country have written articles and often post on email lists to help you figure our your next move.


How and where do you find meeting space? How do you get help as your organization grows beyond your ability to run it all by yourself? What do you do if your group's attendance falls? Explore answers to these questions and also take a look at how to avoid burnout, how to use consensus decision-making, dealing with difficult volunteer situations, and how to handle various kinds of conflict in your group.


Lost Without Space?
by Mary May
"While the thought of hunting up space can be intimidating at first, it doesn't have to be a torturous experience. Space for meetings and activities can be found in the most unexpected places sometimes. You just have to know where to look."

Finding Help as Your Support Group Grows
by Carol Moxley
Whether the intent is for the group to remain informal, with you at the helm and a crew of helpers available to take on specific duties, or whether you expect the group to grow into a formal entity with elected officers and by-laws, you're not going to be able to do it all yourself forever.

The Evolution of a Support Group
by N. S. Gill
". . . [R]ather than longevity as the measure of a support group's success our standard should be the group's ability to evolve." This article addresses sparse attendance and other issues homeschool support groups can face.

Helping New Homeschoolers: A Simpler Approach
by Carol Moxley
"How does one enjoy helping acclimate the new homeschooler while still preserving one's sanity?" This article offers a few time and energy-saving tips for busy support group leaders and volunteers to consider.

Consensus
by Dorothy Werner
"Most well-functioning groups actually use consensus informally most of the time." But how does consensus work? Why does it work? And what responsibilities do members have when working towards consensus?

When a Support Group Splinters
by Marie Hopper
"We all come into groups looking for different things and with different expectations. We naturally gravitate to others that "click" for us or for our children. As a result, sometimes, groups split or splinter. This is where my story comes in."

Homeschool Leadership: Balance vs. Burnout
by Mary May
"Most people who have spent any great amount of time and energy at a task have felt the symptoms of burnout at one time or another. These symptoms, while routinely disruptive, affect people in different ways . . . Most people see feeling burnt-out as a reaction to attempting to do too much at one time. As adept as homeschool group leaders, co-op coordinators, and activity leaders are at juggling, keeping all of those balls in the air at once can be a challenge."

Addressing Interpersonal Conflict
Conflict resolution help from the Free Management Library.

Conflict Management in Groups
Collections of article links assembled by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, designed to help managers of non-profit and for-profit organizations.

 



Or maybe there is one, but you and/or your kids just aren't the right fit? That can happen too. You have a lots of options.

  • You could try to start one. Odds are, there are other families that have chosen to not band together with the local group or are out there winging it just like you! The tabbed area above gives helpful tips from homeschoolers all around the country who have started small homeschool groups.

  • You could continue to involve your children in community and family activities that don't necessarily involve other homeschoolers. Many families feel they can really help their children explore their own interests this way. Scouts, dance classes/groups, craft classes, community theatre, church groups - the list goes on and on!

  • You could go ahead and join your state group, offering support from a distance. This helps you stay connected in case something arises that you need to know about. Also, some state groups offer periodic activities you could participate in.

  • You could attend annual homeschool conferences. Be sure to explore their websites before you sign up. Conferences usually cost a little money and also require that you travel, stay in hotels, eat out. You wouldn't want to be surprised to find that that particular conference did not share your own particular homeschooling philosophy!  Still, many homeschoolers look forward to these conferences and great friendships are forged.

  • Often homeschooling families meet because of the children's shared interest. (The time of day they meet is often a give-away if it's during "school hours.") Swimming pools, libraries, parks, and museum classes are often where families find others who "click" with them. Several families coming together for play/game days, science projects, book clubs, or cooking groups can make your child's homeschooling experience incredibly rich and successful. You don't have to become an "organized support group" to make this work.